NAPLES BEACH PIER

Naples Municipal Beach & Fishing Pier

The historic Naples pier known for fishing, bird-watching, dolphin-spotting & scenic sunset views. Located on the Gulf of Mexico at the West end of 12th Avenue South. Even folks just driving through town stop for a walk on the 1,000-foot long Naples Pier. First built in 1888, it’s been rebuilt five times after hurricanes. On-street parking is supplemented by a parking lot one block East, with additional parking at beach ends on the avenues to the north and south.

Directions

Facts About the Naples Pier

The Naples Pier has been a favorite location for sightseers and fishermen with plenty of space to cast a line since its construction in 1888. It features restrooms, a concession stand with a covered eating area and beach supplies.

Historic Landmark on the Gulf of Mexico

The Naples Pier was originally built in 1888 as a freight and passenger dock. Located off of 12th Avenue South in Downtown Naples, has been a popular spot for fishing, relaxation and as a location to watch sunsets since it was first constructed in 1888.
Ending in 2015, the Naples Pier finished major reconstruction that helped to revitalize the pier for a new generation of tourists and locals to enjoy.
Completed, the newly renovated Naples Pier will not only remain as a monument to the local lifestyle and culture, but also as a major attraction for both locals and tourists alike to visit while in Naples.

Naples Pier Activities

All visitors are also prohibited from feeding the birds. Visiting the pier, as always, will remain free, in addition to the ability for visitors to fish off the pier as well. Fishing at Naples Pier is very good; visitors and locals have been known to catch grouper, red snapper, mackerel, trout, and occasionally, king fish and sharks! If you need to purchase any beverages or snacks, there is a small concession stand selling food, beverages, fishing supplies and all your beach needs to help make your trip there a little easier.
All visitors have access to the nearby beach volleyball nets, which might give you something different to do during your visit to Naples. During your holiday and visit to Naples Pier, consider also to visit some of the luxury beach front homes that Naples has to offer. Some of these homes date back to the period the Naples Pier was first constructed, including the historical Palm Cottage. This was the former home of newspaper man and owner of Naples, Walter Halderman; it is open to the public, however in order to visit, you must make a reservation and pay a donation of $10.

Naples Pier Parking

Parking for beach access in the City of Naples requires the resident or visitor to have a beach parking permit, feed the parking meters, or pay-by-space. This is enforced year round.
All City of Naples Parking Areas including the Naples Pier and Lowdermilk Park offer the pay-by-space option

  • $0.25/6 minutes
  • $2.50/hour
  • Cash accepted: Quarters Only
  • Credit/Debit Card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover

Naples Pier History

Naples Pier Early History

First constructed in 1888 by newspaper man, Walter N. Halderman, the founder of Naples, and Captain James Canty.
The Naples Pier was initially to act as a location for loading and unloading various goods and baggage to help facilitate local commerce, and to better serve the hotel located across from it at the time.
Shortly after its construction, the Naples Pier attracted locals looking for a place to fish, watch sunsets, socialize with friends, or take a relaxing walk along the beach. It also became a popular location for social gatherings like parties and dances, since it was one of the few major landmarks in Naples that locals could gather at and find a way to pass their leisure time at.
Later, a post office was added, however that, along with most of the pier, was burned in a fire caused by a discarded cigarette in 1922.

Rebuilt in 1924

The Naples Pier was rebuilt in 1924, keeping the original double-deck construction with wings and a V shape at the end, however, was extended to 1,000 feet, in comparison to the original 600 feet.
This wasn’t the first, or the last time that the Naples Pier would see reconstruction efforts. The first time the Naples Pier experienced reconstruction efforts was in 1906, after it sustained hurricane damage.
It saw more reconstruction efforts in 1910 after sustaining damage from yet another hurricane. During Hurricane Donna in 1960, the Naples Pier was damaged yet again and had to be reconstructed once more.

Naples Pier Reconstruction

On July 6, 2015 new reconstruction efforts were begun by Naples city government officials and Manhattan Construction in a special ceremony to not only celebrate the pier’s historical and cultural significance, but also the new renovations will help attract more visitors, both locals and tourists alike.
The new deck was constructed out of ipe, or Brazilian walnut and will include larger restrooms to accommodate the 1 million tourists which visit the pier each year.
The reconstruction of the Naples Pier lasted four months, with the beloved local site reopened on November 1, 2015. Visitors will still be able to fish, without the need of a fishing license, off the pier. However, anyone fishing off the pier needs to make sure that they have 5/0 sized hooks that are non-treble, refrain from overhand casting, keep caught fish in a special container, dispose of fish carcasses in designated, authorized containers, and refrain from leaving fish on the deck.

Naples Pier after Hurricane Irma

Although the 1,000-foot structure’s concrete pilings remained secure and undamaged, wind and wave forces from the Sept. 10 storm split or snapped timbers, including joists, deck boards and railings. The wooden railing on the far end of Pier fell into the Gulf, but most of the damage was below the decking.
After water supply lines on the structure were restored, the first half of the Pier from the beach to just past the concession area was reopened Sept. 21. The western end of the Pier remains closed, and a temporary plywood wall prevents visitors from venturing past this midway point to the area most popular for fishing and watching sunsets.
Visitors to the pier should not expect the western end of the local landmark to reopen until summer 2018.

Final Thoughts

Remember, a vacation to Naples wouldn’t be complete without at least one trip to the Naples Pier, whether it be to cast a hook, marvel at the sunsets or just simply people watch and to marvel at some of the finest real estate Naples has to offer.